ABOUT MOUNT LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK
Mount Longonot National Park is a remarkable and enchanting hidden gem nestled within the vibrant landscape of Kenya, specifically located in the Great Rift Valley, to the southeast of Lake Naivasha. This stunning park is situated approximately 60 kilometres to the northwest of Nairobi, which serves as the capital city of Kenya. Covering an expanse of 52 square kilometres, most of this area is dominated by Mount Longonot, a relatively young volcano that geologists believe last erupted in the 1860s. The name “Longonot” is derived from the Maasai word “Oloonong’ot,” which translates to “mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges,” aptly reflecting the unique topographical features characterizing this majestic landscape. The sides of Mount Longonot are adorned with striking V-shaped valleys and pronounced ridges that create an awe-inspiring visual tapestry. While much of the surrounding terrain consists of stony soils with sparse vegetation, creating a somewhat rugged appearance, it is within the crater itself that one finds an unexpectedly lush and impenetrable forest that flourishes amidst this seemingly barren environment. This diverse ecosystem not only contributes to the park’s ecological richness but also attracts visitors seeking both adventure and tranquillity. Mount Longonot National Park is renowned for its breath-taking scenic views—spectacular panoramas formed by both the towering mountain and its expansive crater, which features a verdant forested floor teeming with life. These elements combine to create an inviting atmosphere for nature enthusiasts and avid hikers alike, making it a cherished destination for those wishing to explore Kenya’s natural beauty.
CLIMATE IN MOUNT LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK
Temperatures within Mount Longonot National Park exhibit a notable range, fluctuating between 20 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius. This temperature variation contributes to the park’s unique ecosystem and biodiversity. Additionally, the annual rainfall in this region varies significantly, ranging from approximately 200 millimeters to as much as 700 millimeters. Such climatic conditions play a crucial role in influencing both the flora and fauna of the park, creating an environment that supports diverse species and rich natural landscapes.
WILDLIFE AND BIRDS
Mount Longonot National Park serves as a vital sanctuary for a diverse array of wildlife species, which thrive within both the lush, forested confines of the crater and the expansive short grasslands that characterize the park’s landscape. Among the notable inhabitants of this ecological haven are plains zebras, whose striking black-and-white stripes can be seen grazing alongside majestic giraffes that gracefully navigate the savannahs. The park is also home to agile Thomson’s gazelles, formidable buffaloes, and robust hartebeests, all contributing to a vibrant tapestry of life. Additionally, various species of antelopes roam freely throughout the park while baboons engage in their playful antics among the trees. In terms of larger predators, leopards maintain a presence in this rich ecosystem, stealthily navigating their domain in search of prey. The verdant undergrowth supports bushbucks—elegant and elusive animals—as well as Grant’s gazelles and elands that add to the biodiversity found within these protected lands. Impalas also grace this area with their graceful leaps and bounding runs. Furthermore, Mount Longonot National Park is distinguished not only by its mammalian fauna but also by its avian diversity. The park provides habitat for over 100 different bird species that thrive amidst various vegetation types across its expanse. Among these avifaunal residents are raptors such as Verreaux’s eagle and lammergeier soaring majestically above and utilizing thermal currents to survey their territory below. Other notable bird species include the common ostrich—the world’s largest bird—alongside waterfowl like fulvous whistling-ducks and Egyptian geese that inhabit wetland areas. Additionally, ground-dwelling birds such as helmeted guinea fowl and scaly francolins can be observed foraging for food amongst grasses while speckled pigeons coo gently from branches above. Noteworthy songbirds like red-eyed doves contribute melodious sounds to the auditory landscape along with swift-flying insects like mottled swifts, common swifts, and Nyanza swifts which dart through open skies with remarkable agility. In summary, Mount Longonot National Park stands out not only as an essential ecosystem supporting numerous terrestrial mammals but also as an important refuge for a wide variety of birds—making it a key site for biodiversity conservation efforts in Kenya.
ATTRACTIONS IN MOUNT LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK
- Mount Longonot and the crater – Mount Longonot and the crater are situated and reached on a 3.1 kilometer trail from the park’s main entrance. Mount Longonot consists of rugged terrain and a crater on
its top, the crater is an 8 X 12 caldera formed as a result of numerous volcanic activities which are believed to have taken place about 21,000 years ago. The crater floor is dominated by forests which create a splendid scenery, while at the crater you also get to encounter geothermal vents from which you notice steam escaping from several fissures around the rim of the crater. Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano that stands at an altitude of 2,776 meters and is the main attraction in the park, this mountain is a stunning physical feature deriving its name form a local Masai slag meaning Oloonong’ot, meaning “mountains of many spurs” or “steep ridges. - Birds – Mount Longonot National park is an ecological wonder, it has small valleys on the mountainsides, lava rocks, a thick small forest with the mountain crater and it is home to several birds. The birds in the park include Blacksmith Plover, Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Black Cuckoo, Levaillant’s Cuckoo, African Cuckoo among others
- Wildlife – Major wildlife attractions in Mount Longonot National Park include Buffaloes, Elands, Lions, Bushbucks, Common Zebras, Giraffes, Grant’s Gazelles, Thomson gazelles among others. Leopards have also been spotted but can be difficult to find.
ACTIVITIES IN MT. LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK
There are several activities that tourists can engage in on their visit to Mount Longonot national park which are as follows;
- Game viewing – Mount Longonot national park is not known for habiting large population of animals but the ones present in the park make your wildlife viewing safari worth engaging in, wildlife viewing expedition in the park is an opportunity for you to see animals as you hike up to the rim of the crater and inside the floor of the forested crater. Animals sighted in the park include buffalo, zebra, Antelopes, Baboons, Leopards, Bushbucks, grant’s gazelles, eland, hartebeests and many more.
- Bird watching – The park has been noted to be one of the most important birding areas and a bird watchers’ paradise in the rift valley region of Kenya. The park is partly forested thus providing a perfect habitat for rift valley birds. Birds that can be seen while birdwatching include; Verreaux’s Eagle, Lammergeie, common Ostrich, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Egyptian Goose, helmeted guinea fowl, scaly francolin, Speckled Pigeon,
Red-eyed Dove, Mottled Swift, Common Swift, Nyanza Swift and many more. - Hiking – This activity involves hiking to the rim of the mountain top navigating through the rigged forested terrain. The whole hiking to and around the caldera takes about 4 -5 hours and is such an unforgettable experience. From the park’s main entrance gate, you hike on a trail of 3.1 kilometers. This activity is both amusing and challenging as you hike through the steep and rocky sides of the volcano with the amazing scenery of the crater with its floor covered by forests and sights of the surrounding.
- Sightseeing – Up the peak and the crater you will enjoy beautiful views of Lake Naivasha, the small forest and the Nakuru surroundings. You will also see several birds and animals and many other park features while you are up there.
- Biking – You can take biking excursions on the rocky areas of the mountain and around the park for an adventure and fun experience. This activity is done on a 2 kilometer circuit road which runs towards the volcanic lava flow.
ACCOMMODATION IN MOUNT LONGONOT NATIONAL PARK
There is one facility inside the park known as Olongoonot campsite and is located along access road to the crater. Other established facility for accommodation are situated in Naivasha town and they include; Lake Naivasha country club, Enashipai resort and spa, Lake Naivasha panorama park and Masada hotel.